Measuring tape feed



W. voN sToEsER ETAL 2,785,748

MEASURING TAPE: FEED 6 Sheets-Sheet l March 19, 1957 Filed Nov. 10, 1952 March 19, 1957 w. voN sToEsER ETAL 2,785,748

MEASURING TAPE FEED Filed Nov. 10. 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 19, 1957 w. voN sToEsER ErAL 2,785,748

MEASURING TAPE FEED 6 Shets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 10, 1952 Seiden erman L.

March 19, 1957 w. VON sToEsER ET AL 2,785,748

MEASURING TAPE FEED 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. l0, 1952 mlZQvSB nimm nn tors.'

Muffy.

March 1 9,/"1 95 7 Filed Nov. 10, 1952 Fig. 6.

YW. VON STOESER ETAL MEASURING TAPE FEED 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I I I I I I I Il III..

ffy 7 March 19, 1957 w. voN sToEsER ETAL 2,785,748

MEASURING TAPE FEED Filed Nov. l0. 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 United States Patent() IVIEASURINGy TAPE. FEED Walter Von Stoesen, Lake Villa, .and Herman E.. Seiden, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Lectromatic Devices,v Inc., a corporation of Illinois Application November 10, 1952,. SeriaiLNo. 3195672 10 Claims! (Cl-v 164-49) invention. has as its principal objectzthetprovision of improvements ine automatic electric tape feeders: for sewing either preselectively measured or random lengths ofigummed tape for packaging and likepurposes.V

Among the more detailed objects and features: of the device'disclosed herein are the provisionoff twoipreselecting dials which may be set to determine twodii'erent preselectiug dial mechanism which is actuatedby-fpower derived from a tape-feeding` motor means, and which includes a mutilated: gear means` for driving a.. measuring switch through a certaincycle.-

Another: object: is. theprovision--r of," additional measuring control; means. ink a-tape` dispenser ofthe-type disclosedv in.` the copendingV application ofI4 Walter`V Von Stoeser, Serial No.- 168,565; iiledV JuneI 16,- 1950`now RatenttNo; 2,7.4&;86i, for` thepurposeofexpanding the 'Hinge .andiaceuracy ofthe-measuring operations` Additional objects: relate mitte-provision offa novel power takeoff structure cooperable witlra-motor-driven tape-serving means; for driving; one: orf more rotary measuring, switches; cir-enig` means for selectivel-yfincludingrer Qlndng-oneeor-twomeasuring sWitchesl-fromthe measuringycircnit which t controls the tape-'feedingmeana s ogthlitmcasuledzorfrandom lengthstofftape'may b`e-fed at the discretiontoffthe operator; together with-:improvev ments, in; detailslof :azknife-structure for .the 'tapeshearing musst assu/ett as improvementsfinaother components -of the illustrative embdimenttshownaallfof:which will'becomeapparentgas the following,descriptionproceeds in ViewOfqthefannexedtdrawnes, inwhihr 1, is agskcletonized;pictorial planaofitheprincipal working elements t of,l the. new. tapes feed' shown` in conjunctionwith control-circuit means therefor; g

Fig. 2,is aperspective View of thetapeamachinesincludng thefootswitch; Y

Fig'- 3 is ano @perspective ofthe machineviewed from ,the side opposite that shown inpPig, 2r;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the, machine;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the machine witl the,.top cover plates removed;

Fig. 6 is-y a-vertical sectionalvdetailtakenalonglines -dfotff'figt 4-,3 withtparts shown infelevation, including particularly the cutterfor shear plate and=operating==sole- Yuoiditherefcrr;

Eig: 7gisaaxhorizontal sectionaldetailtakenalong lines 7-7 0f Fg- 4 t0 Showfmplairithe tapeffeedngcrneans operatingsolenoidztherefor; l

.feed roller 16 isin eiect ydisposedstoyield when rocking 2,785,748 Patented Mar. 19, 1957 ICC Fig; Slis afront elevational detail, toenlarged scale, of' the dual. measuring switchv unit;

Fig. 9.' is a vertical sectional detail taken along lines 9.-.9aof Fig. 8 and showing parts-of the rotary measuring contact means in elevation;

Fig. lO'is avertical sectional detail taken along-lines 10-10; ofFig; 8 with parts vof the resetswitch and spring shown .in elevation.

In itsfl broader aspects, the character and modetof, operationo flthe: new tapefeed is best: understoodl by4 reerence, to the. schematic showingwof. Fig. 1, wherein a'roll 15"of gummed paper tapehas its web 15A fedbetween feed rollers: 16 and 17 operating-to passthefweb over a moisteningfbrushzljfor. subsequent-severance by afftshearing blade or cutter 19 adapted to be actuated by: asoleunid-20..

Means? for, feedingv the tape includes.: a: motor 221drivat countershaft 23- through beltand-pulley meanst124, itbeing notedi that the, countershaft ,23; has', pivoted thereon a rockable arm 25 at one end of whichtisijournaled a stubeshat 26,upon which the lower'ordrivinggfeed roller 16: is;` fastsk along with a pulley 27 driven by-a; belt. 28 whieh-infturn isdriven by another pulley;r 29'onfshaft23. This; arrangement constitutes a rockable, feedi roller rrneanswhich;mayk befrocked clockwise tozcausezthe feed roller:V 16 Ito, rise Y,against` thetape web:r andvpressz thezlatter against; the. companion Y roller- 1\7 so as; torr seize; and: feed theweb.Y

Means for normalizing androckinghei, feed: rolerein. eludes an operating,yoke-3:5r attachedftogthe plungenof a solenoid 32 and engaging a cross-pin 34:;whicl1. also traversesran end of the rockerarm, and which-,is-pulled upwardly hyy coilsprings 35 to normalize the'rocker and feedroller, in a normal condition in whichAthe-feedroller 16.= isv outoft engagement. with the tape; web.

Eig, 4 depictsthe actual disposition ofparts; iny the aforesaid. arrangement of the -feedrollerf means 116-17; moistening brush means 18; `cutter''bladeaul cutter lsolenoid 1 920; feed motor 22; rocker arm zgandyrocking solenoid 32,L al1 shownin. Fig, 4- inl-compact installation beneath a tape bed plate structure 311i upon which` the tape web 15A isfed from thelsupplyY roll:1-5.-

The belt and pulley meansv.24(and 27.--281-29) are preferablyl of the gear-toothedrubber beltvarietyI for .quietoperation and accuratetracking, The-,compacter- -rangement of parts ofk the.- aforesaid .mechanism isalso seen in/Fig. 7 looking downfrom-ai-level beneaththetape bed plate.'

inthe actual construction of. the rockingfeedroller means, asseen in Fig, 7, the,v rocker arm ZS/is preferably at, yieldableVv two-piece device consisting#Y of-y a. pairotY arms 25A, 25B, both pivotally carried on-tshaftZi-and maintainedtin a normaltcondition of alignmentfby. means of a. stiifsprihg-QSC havingtfopposite endsbearing against pins 25AX and ZSBX'projecting respectively fromA the two arm sections 25A. and 25B, it. beinggnoted in` Fig. 7,7thatlthetpiu ZSAXis disposed to beengaged by an end portiontoftthe arm section 25B Ito limitthemovernent of the latter by thespring. Thus, theV rocking feed-roller armstructure 25 is yieldable-fin--onedirection.so thatthe up against thertapeweb to .press the latter againstthe compauionfeed roller 17.

Keverting to the schematicshowingrofFig, 1measuring switch means for preselectively determining-- the length, oftape to be fed includes atpair of adjustable rotary switch devicesof identicaliconstruetion such-that lthedetailed description of'one-will suiice-:for both:

Measuring tswiteh- 40 includesiazrotary ^contact141 fast on afdrivenishaft 39s,- common to'botl'r--measuring switches.

f,wiper, contact142 bearsron theahub'f. portion koff'conta'ct 411toextendiconnection tofaa controlcircuit:Vv

A dial member of insulating material includes a drum part 43 on which is displayed a sequence of length-indicating numerals designating the number of inches of tape to be fed; and the dial further includes a knurled portion 44 to be engaged by the'ngers for turning the dial to select a desired length of tape to be fed, the dials 40 and r50 being freely rotatable on shaft 39 so as to Vrotate relative to their respective rotary'contacts 41 or 51.

Carried on the ends of each Idial is a circular contact 'plate V45 or 55, in each of which is an interruption or hole 46 or 56 into which the ends of the respective rotary -contacts 41 or 51 can lodge Vso as to be electrically disengaged-from, or out of circuit-completing engagement with the corresponding dial contact plate 45or-55.

Aplate contacting wiper 47 rides yon the plate .45 to extend a connection from the latter to a control circuit; and the 'dial switch has a similar wiper contact 57 for a -likepurpose- 1 A clock spring 60 -latter to 'a starting position and thereby dispose the rotary contacts 41 and 51 in identical angular starting positions Vrelative to their'respective dials and associated contact plates 45 and 55;

The two measuring switch units 40vand 50, as well as the resetting or indexing clock-springV means, and-a reset .switch means (to be described hereafter) are, inpractice, 'made as a subassembly unit, the actual construction being 1 switch blade 74 and press the latter down into contact with is engaged with shaft 39 rman; the

that depicted in Figs'. 8 to l0 whereinthe reference characv- 'ters correspond to those of Figfl and designate the parts of the actualembodiments ofthe elements shown in Fig. .1.

A top View (with cover plate removal) of this measur- Ving switch subassembly is also shown to advantage in zFig. `5 in its assembled relation to other parts of the v' -manual switch means including movable contact 86', left having an enlarged drop-out depression 63 in its toothed Means for rockablymounting the pinion 64 includes v 4a bell crank Yor like offset lever 69 freely pivoted on shaft '17A, which vcarries the tapeY feed presser-roller 17, so that *shaft 17A is turned by the rotation of presser roller 17 as the` tape web is advanced by the feeding roller 16.

' The pinion 64 is mounted on a stub shaft 65 journaled in one of the offset endsY of the crank lever 69, and has L 1 YaY gearV 66 driven from a gear 67 on the presser-roller shaft i 17A through a chain belt means 68.

The remaining oiset end 69A of the crank lever over- Y lies an extended portion of the yoke pin ,34A and bears 1upon the latter under urgence of spring 71.

When the feed rock shaft meansY 25 is rocked by action of feed solenoid 32,v yoke-pin portion 34A goes down, lpermitting spring 71 to rock the lever 69 so as to thrust 'the'pinion 64 into mesh with gear 62; and as'the advancing tape web rotates the tracking and presser-roller T17, pinion 64 turns gear 621 and hence measuring Vshaft -39, so that the rotary wipers 41 andk 51 traveljaround the dial contact plates 45 and 55 until the stopping circuit Ainterruptions or holes-16 and 56`thereof are encountered, f whereupon the-feeding will be automatically stopped and f the shear means 19-20 will be actuated by circuit con- 'nections4 to be described hereafter.

It may be observed meanwhile thatthe measuring shaft 39 in Fig. 1 is presumed to be in a startingor reset posi- .tion in which it operates certain reset Aswitch means in-.

;clu,c linga reset pin 73V fast on shaft 39 and projecting radially to engage the operating projection74A. of a spring withfagcompanion contact 98B.

another blade switch contact 75.

The iirst contact 74 is mechanically tied to a third contact blade 76, so that the latter remains disengaged from contact 75 when contact 74 is closed with contact 75.

The operation of the reset switch is such that upon turning of pin 73 out of engagementwith switch operating part 74A, when the measuring shaft 39 turns away from starting position, relay control contacts 74-75 will sep, arate and be in open circuit relation while the cutter or shear contacts 75--76 will engage land remain closed until the reset pin returns in the return or indexing operation of shaft 39 under urgence of the clockY spring 60.

The circuit connections for full automatic or part automatic and part randomti. e. manual) operation include relay and feed switch means cooperable to cause the feeding motor 22 to run until the measured amount of tape is fed outon the automatic cycle; or until the operatorreleases the feed switch means after the desired length bf tape has been fed, the cutter or shear means 19--20 being automatically operated thereafter, Iin either case, when the reset switch means is closed upon indexing or returning the shaft 39, and hence reset pin 73 to normal start- Ying or indexed position. f l

The tape feeding mechanism is controlled either by'a foot switch or a manual switch, at the option of theopverator, and both said switches are arranged to selectively control the two rotary measuring switches 40 and 50, which are also referred to as the righ (dial) and left (dial) switches, for reasons to appear. In Fig. l the foot switch means includes a pair. of contacts 81-82 for the` left foot switch, and another pair 83-84 for the right foot switch, the same being respec` tively actuated by treadles 85L and SSR.

Connected in parallel with the foot switch meansis a contact 87, and right contact 88. Operating power is connected to conductors 89 and 90 from the usual 110 v.'outlet, there being a master on-off.

switch 91 in this circuit to open and close the feed con- .ductor 90, which is connected to one terminal each ofthe motor 22, feed solenoid 32, and shear solenoid 20, respectively, by conductors 92, 93, 94. Feed conductor also connects via conductor 95 'to one terminal of the coil 96 of what is termedv the left relay; and by conductor 97 to one terminal of the coil 98 of a righ relay. Y

w YFor full automatic operation, the circuit condition is .asl shown in Fig. 1; and to operate under Ycontrol of the left measuring dial,'the left foot switch treadle 85L is depressed to close contacts 81, 82; this will connect power via conductor A, from contact 82 through contact81, to` energize the left relay coil 96. l

Power at contact 82 for the operation is derived fro i .conductor 100 via conductor 100A, which is common to both contacts 82, 83 of the foot switch. Y It may alsoy be observed here that the manual feed switch is in parallel with the foot switch, that is contact 86'is'also connected to conductor 100, and the manual left contact 87 is connected by conductor 87A to relay lead 95A in common with left vfoot-switch Contact 81,

while the right manual-'switch conact 88 is looped to the `right foot-switchcontact 84 by conductor 88A, and,via conductor 97A to the, right relay coil 98. Thus, either the manual or the foot feed switch will selectively operate the right or left relays. A

To complete the aforesaid power circuit from the optionallyoperable manual or foot switch 'and operate the right or left relays to start the feeding operation, the conductor 100 terminatesV at reset switch contact 74, normally closed with contact 75, connected via conductor 101 to right relay contact 98A, which'is normallyclosed Contact 98B is looped to LleftrelaycontactQGA, like wise normally. closedY with, a companion-.contact-r96l3., which connects to-fthereturnzpower line; leady 89,

huspthe .rstrhinggto'lhanpen when. the feedrswitches (manual, or pedal)r are actuated leftzor right,.is. to .energize, correspondingly, the leftor right relay. coils, 96 orA 98.

`AsV soon as either, of- .the rightf orleft. `relays pulls., up thefeeding-motor 22 will start,A by reason oiconneetion of conductor 103, to the `returnpower conductor 8,9. b y relay contacts 96B-96C, assuming the left relay totbe theA one operated; or byI contacts.. 98E-793C, if the right. relay.` is; the one operated.

When.- the .feed motorY starts, asf aforesaidttheameasuring. shaft'39 willlikewise departronraingPQSition,

andthe reset.. pin 73,-willgleave therese?. switchmeans 74f75a-76 .Sc that/the, .feed-switch supervisory contacts 741-75; open; and the.` shearfswitchi. supervisory contacts '1li-.Widmer At this time the feed switch-means: and- .8,6.-.817.f-7S.8. are.: rdisablfd.,v :and .theirelaye .cannet be agani energized'until; the, machine; has completed. .the initial Vcycle and thefmeasun'ngs. switch; means has been reset or; indexed, asby. restoration; @shaft-3.94 to V.starting position,V and operation of the. resetswitchjo; again .Close tbezsuperyisoryrelay.contacts '14a-.75..

The operation being descrihedaisi automaticifandit is assumed that the two .dialv switches=40 and'. 50:- have been pre-.set by theroperator tot give.- the desired lengths :o'tape To get: the lengthy governed. 'by the: IeftediaI, theleft feedaswitch meansV and. hence the.' left: relayr 96 must be operated; and to get the'length.` ndicatedI on the: right dial, the right feedswitcht-meansfandfright'relay 98.must be operated.

Whichever relayisoperated, the'r feed motor2 starts, as aforesaid, and' supervisory.` relay*v contacts 74-75 open, so that power is disconnected-from=thearelay coils 96i or 98 even thoughY the feed switchesmaybeheld closed;

However, eachv relay hasu av 'holding' circuit for the automatic operation.

the left relay pullsup itscontactsv 96132 andi 96E close,- `sothat:the-coilf961isrfurnished' a power connection via measuring-switch conductor w24-throughleft rotary dial switch connections 41', 4Z, 45; 47; thenceivia'condoctor 1051 to the bottom left-relay contact:y 96C (now closedv with contact=96B)1 to-power conductor 89.l

Iff theright-dial switch isthe one-in userthenfthe holding circuit forthev right relay-would becompletedv at holding contacts` 98E- 9813; through closed selector switch contact means 106+17,' conductor'- 108, right measuring or dial switch contact means 5,1'-, 52, 55;. 57, conductor 109- toY conductor-105, -andthrough rightrelay contacts 98B, 98, now closed, andthencethroughy the leftr relay normally closed contacts 96A, 96B' to power lead 89,- -it being noted the rightv relay' contactj 98B' is loopedY to left relay Contact 96A, and-thatvwhen the/right relay'isepulled'up, the leftrelay is normaLvanglsvie versa.

Vlfhicheyerdial switch, left or right, is selectively used bythe operator, the corresponding relay, 'left o rl right, `will'be dropped out at its holding circuitfcontats96jD.- 96E' or. %`D.-98B,Awhe n the appertaning dialV switchhas tolled ol the preselected lengthY Qtape and' the Aincastri'- ing contacts 41 or 51 lodge upon their respective circuit interrupting parts 46 or 56, As soon as the relays drop. out uponopening of their holding circuits, asv aforesaidgvpower is disconnectedif'rom the motor and. tape-feeding solenoidconductor ,m3-'by Opening, f relay contacts 95613-9616 or. 28B-98%. so thatA the rockable pinionmeans 64 ydisengages `the, measurinashaft gear 63 and. the shaft 39 .is..f.ie.e to lie .restored'to index or startingrposition 'by clock-spring, 60 to operate ythe reset switch. Y

However, fbefo'rethe` resetswitch can` be .affzlated by the resetpinV 75 the Yoperateclrelay 'will havegbeen dropped vout onrestored tonormal, so thatethe respectiveileft and right.L relay contactsets '-96A-a961 or1 9814-988 again..baclcsesi;.asthe.casenrrorfbe,E the result Athat power is now momentarily. derivedY fmmcondtrctor .10.1, (via, 89 throughnornials 96A,V 9.6B,v or, 98A,A 9.813,) and the..n0.w. redpsed.Supervisors/cutter contacts'lSs-l, .and conductorl-l to shear Coil 20, S0 that C115-m? means. 19. will snaprlown. to sever'- the tapeV Wellin4 the short interval duringfwhich the resetpin 73`is.t!1rr.1.i,ng back to, normal starting position where` it yWill vagain ogen sheary contacts..75-.7.6 so that `thecutter. knife. 19fwillgbe quickly. restored to. normal..

Thus, dropping out of either. control Yrelay causesopelation of the tapercutting..meansbyfreasonpof therelativ delay,- in the restorationfof therelays; andthe .supervisory reset switch means .to normal .startingv condition- The operations described thus far have been; ""autcx. matic in the sense. thatjboth,I ofthe measuring-,switch devices 49 and,- 50a-re, optionally involved in. theffeeding process; butv s electorfswitch andcircuit meansl are pm.- vided so that only `one of the` dial; switches-A (preferably the. left one.),is availahlefor automatic measllrillwhil@ theother, dialrswitch and its associated relay means.; is converted, tor-` operationY toY feed-5 the tapegcpntinuonsly for random lengths, so long as the feedj switch-means isgheld .operated -hy the attendants This mode of ,n operation is ,referred toas. semi-vautomatic. Ormanual,

InV orderir t0 Change the circuits for serneautonrati operation it is merely necessary.- to throw theselector .switch operating member 112 .to-` man position. toward the. left in, Fig.. 1 (.Or upwardly in. the commercial ernbodimantas seenin Fig.A 2). This willopenthecont cts 1e107, thus,.disahlingthe,y holding circtlitjortl;- I relay by disconnectinathe measuring sw-tchand i. i, ducten. 1.08 Afrrrlfrisht holding; Contact 198D..

But.- as a.y further result of the; aforesaid operationof the selector switch, its contacts-,1141-L15'wi1lbe; closeglg thereby connecting the conductor 1,00V directly .to theyre,- turn power lead $9 via conductor 100A, said selector switch contacts 1147-1115- closed conductor; 1,16,- and; the normally closed left relay. contacts; 98A.-98B, so that even thoughl the supervisory reset; contacts.74,.75. open when the tapeteeding-star-ts, these supervisory. conta-s arershuntedrby selector switch CQlltaCts 114,-115isotthat the right relay coil 98 can be held energized so lqngras yeither tharightgmanual o r pedal feedswithzs. held .SIllQSed After the operator releases the `feed switch fonla randomflengthfeeding operation involving.l the, rightgrelay, as aforesaid, thecutter operatesautomaticallasrin thefull automatic operatiomsine the supervisory-shear contacts 7,5.-.76 of the reset switchl are delayedin opening, as usual, `until after ther-ight relayA contact/s ,QSATSBLB have closed, so thatY the shearl coil- 22) willyhe-energizegl brietly during the delayiuterval untilgthea Shear contacts -76 are openedto normal starting'conditiQn..

Inthefcommereial embodimento-the device., .rtm1-meatsuring switchq means Vgenerally designatedI -atr 4.0,',v 5.0.,` in Fig. Lis preferably constructedgas a sub.-assenxbly.` according to the construction` shownV in Fig.l 8, wherein the measuringY shaft 39 is4 journaled between .a p air; ofr angle brackets 29, 121, joinedby tie-rod mean`s12,2,;wi th=the indexing spring eiland the supetvoryreset#switch means 73, 74, 75, 76, `situated between the two angle brackets. Additional. views of some.- of these details` appear, in Figs. 9 and 10,

It will also be noted from Figs.. 8 21x19.. that eachof the selector dials or drums is provided with datent means in the form of a spring linger 44A or 54A, respectiyely engageable with the knurled rims 44 or 5410i' thedials.

The measuring switch subassembly is mounted in, the machine (as shown in Fig. 5') `bymeans of additional tie rods 122A secured'to-the machine frame, and-situated adjacent an open top'portion of the latterY sothat `the knurled edges44 and S410i-*the two dials canprojectjupwardly through suitableopeningsr in asmall; removable cover plate 124- (as in Figs: 2 and 3);

'plates, as at 19D (Fig. 4). knife 19 to its normal position so that the tape web s viewed in Fig. 2, the remaining control instrumentalities, with the exception of the foot switches, are mounted on'a side wall of the machine, and include the master on-o switch 91, the right-left dial selector switch '86, andthe selector switch 112 for full automatic or random feed. In addition, there is provided a plug means 128 for connecting the foot switch unitA 129 in parallel with theoperating switch 86. The two foot switches 81-82 and 83-84 (of Fig. 1) are contained (not shown) within the unit 129 and arerespectively actuated by the treadles 85L and 85Rrrthereof.

' The two left and right control relays 96, 98, etc. "(of Fig. Vl) are preferably contained in a small barnacle housing y130 secured to the side of the machine (as in Fig. 2).

" A mechanical feature Vof importance relates to the 'mounting of -the web shear or cut-off knife 19 as an 'easily removable, element.`Y In Fig. 6, the knife 19 is vseen as a plate having a triangular cut-out, of which the two 'top angular margins 19A are Vsharpened shearing The plunger 20A of the solenoid is Yremovably VKattached centrally at the bottom edge of the shear plate 'by acotter pin 20B.

Rigidly attached to the top edge of the shear plate is a horizontal guide bar having opposite ends 19B projecting beyond the side margins of the shear plate and also 'slightly beyond the side wall plates 135, 136 of the machine'frame (as in Figs. 3 and 6). Y

Attached .to the horizontal guide bar near the project- 'ing ends 19B thereof are the lower ends of a pair of lifting or normalizing springs 19C (Fig. 6) having their respective upper ends anchored on pins in the frame These springs elevate the -passes through the triangular cut-out to pass beneath a hold-down roller 140 and over the moistening brush 'means 18 (Figs. l, 2, 3).

The projecting ends 19B of the guide bar on the knife plate respectively work in Vertical slots 135A, 136A in the ame Wall plates (as shown best in Fig. 3); and vthese two vertical slots each have a laterally-opening passage 135X or 136X (as in Fig. 3), through which the projecting ends 19B of the 'guide bar can pass to remove the shear plate.

'Ihe knife guide bar ends working in the vertical slots 135A, 136A, guides the upper edge of the knife plate, while the lower edge thereof is guided by its attachment to solenoid plunger 20A; and the two normalizing or lifting springs 19C are biased inwardly of the machine so `as to cause the guide bar ends 19B to ride against the vinward margins of the vertical slots, away from the lateral release passages 135X, 136X.

Thus, the knife plate, under urgence of the lifting springs 19C and the solenoid plunger 20A (Fig. 6), will 'reciprocate in a vertical plane, but may be removed by manually aligning the Vends 19B with the lateral release passages, after disconnecting the solenoid plunger; and

the shear or knife plate 19 can then be removed from the machine, the springs being released either at their upper or lower ends for this purpose. This feature is of importance for the reason that paper-cutting knives in Another mechanical feature of importance is the adjustable hold-down weight shown in Fig. 3, and which includes a heavy metal cylinder 140 having at each of its Vaxial ends an eccentric pivot, such as thescrews 141 (Fig.

5). These pivots respectively engage in a horizontal slot l142 in an end bracket 143 secured to a tape presser plate Y144 having at the opposite ends of its inner transverse edge a pair of pivot lugs removably seating in ears J145,

man

so that the presserplate can pivot upwardly away from the tape web 15A'and Ybrush means 18.

Moreover, by reason of the elongationof the slots 142,

'the weight pivot screws 1.41` can be moved backand forth to position the weightV of the hold-down cylinder back and forth in the direction of travel ofthe end of the tape web across the brush; and additional adjustment may be hadby turning the cylinder about the eccentric pivots 141 so as to extend the range of such back and forth positioningof the weight.Y

In addition to the foregoingstructural and functional novelties of the compact,'eflicient, and tlexible'tape-feed- `ing mechanism hereinabove described, the device is substantiallyfree from jamming of the paper web inthe cut- Aterfmecl'lanisrn.Y Such jamming has beena Ysource Vof great trouble withfprior devices of-this class, owing to the problem which arises vfrom a necessity for precise timing, under all conditions, of the actuation of the cut-off knife with the stoppage of the tape web. v

The momentum of the advancing tape and unwinding of the supply roll commonly causes the tape to pile up` behind the knife or shear if the latter engages `the tape while it is still advancing, andV invariably this produces such a jammin'ggat the knife that considerable delay and annoyance iscaused in removing the jammed section of ytape and restarting the'web.

Moreover, variables, suchas differences in thickness of the tape, or the adhesive layer thereon, and the continuously diminishing size vand weight of the supply roll, can operateat different times to defeat most arrangements for timing the cut-off action. Y K In the present device, jamming is practically eliminated by reason of the cofunctioning of the feed rolller means V16 and the rotaryl measuring switch shaft 39 through the unidirectional gear drive means 62, 64, and common control .means for they feed roller means and gear drive, including the solenoid 20 and rocker means 34, 69A.

Thus, when the feed roller 16 is rendered ineffective for further feeding, the unidirectional gear means is concomitantlycaused to release the measuring switch shaft, but the cut-off still cannot occur until the switch shaft 39 has returned -to its index or starting position.

Prior devices which depend upon stopping a main feed motor, orY marginal adjustment of relays to control the momentum factonarenot uniformly reliable for changes in Ysuch variables as tape for glue thickness, roll weight, ex-

cessive changes in humidity or temperature, line voltage fluctuation, etc.; whereas, the present device operates dependably and rapidly through all variations of such factors, whether the length of the fed strip is long or short.

Another advantage flowing `from the new measuring switch and feed control means is that of more accurate tracking, by which is meant the uniformity with which the measuring shaft rotates in step with the Yadvance of the tape. Over- (or vunder) feeding of tape is reduced on the average to less than one-half inch of tape per gear tooth, referring to the meshing of the coupling or interconnecting gear means 62-64. Thus, the probable error in measured length of tape will .generally not be more than plus orminus-one-half inch due to any lag or over- 'ride in meshing or disengagement of gears 62-64 in step with movements of the tape.

We claim: f Y l. VAIn anelectrically. powered and controlled tape dis- 'penser of the type including tape-feeding roller means `shiftable to feedingly engage and disengage a tape, with a driving motor for the roller means and an electrically operated tape cutter, control improvements, comprising: an

vadjustable measuring switch having traveling contact means spring-urged to a starting position and cooperating adjustable contact means selectively positionable to be engaged by the traveling contact means; shiftable gear web: in: feeding; motion .thereof eommensurately;v witln .the length of tape fed, and a second geartdrivinglyfintercon- -nectedzwith said traveling ccmtact; means;-saidzlrsti'L gear being shaftable to engage andldrive said;secondngear;:feed controi-meanscfor4 shiftingA said rollerrmeansuas .'.aforesaid; andi means operatively interconnecting; saidzfeedecontrol means-zand said; shifiablezgearefor coactiontoieieet .driving of the; second gear by the. first gear Substanally simultaneously: with: shifting nf; the.Y rollerfmeans .to. feed the.l tape web, .andfconverselyfto stoprsaid drivingof the gears: responsiyesto shiftingofthe roller means to stop feeding OfftheWeb; t

Y2.,.ln an electrically.l .Operated .taneffeedinenlaehine elcetrieallyA actuated means; fontfeeding put a tapezweb; a measuring switch includiugrotatablef measuring; contact vmeausi movable relative to. adjustable. ,contactmeans; .drivemeansrfersadrotatabletcuntact-,means includinga driving member and a companionfdriven member, loneof which companion members is movable into and out of driving relation to theother;,means including a, tape-driven member engaging the fed tape to be driven tliereby for actuating saicl driving4V companionmember; means co- .ogerable said tape-feeding means-.for moving; the

movable onemf said companion members into ,driving engagementzwith the other said companion memben con- .cemitantljywith the commencementof,'feedingction .of said feeding-means, and for operatively disengagingisaid cempanionmembers concomitantly with, discontinuanceeof feeding gaction of said feeding meansLwhereby totstartf, and stap rotationtof the rotatable contact. means inistepfcor respondingly, with the starting and...Stopping of.- feedingrfof `saliti tape;.together with contrQl-circuit means including a starting switch, said rotatable measuring contact means, and'r'elay means connectedlto actuate said feeding means, and start the feeding of tape, and to further actuate said feeding means to stop said feeding action responsive to predetermined amounts of rotation of said rotatable contact means relative to said adjustable contact means; and means yieldingly acting upon said rotatable contact means in opposition to said drive means to restore said rotatable contact means to a starting position relative to said adjustable contact means automatically upon disengagement of said driving and driven members of the drive means.

3. ln an electric tape feeder, in combination, a pair of tape-feeding rollers and roller-control means for moving at least one of the same into and out of tracking engagement with a tape web to be fed thereby; a pre-selecting measuring switch including a rotary contact and drive shaft means therefor; spring means turning said drive shaft means into a starting position; an index switch operated by means positioned by said drive shaft means in said starting position; coupling means shiftable to drivingly couple and uncouple one of said feeding rollers with said drive shaft means; mechanism cooperable with said roller control means to shift said coupling means concomitantly with movements of said tracking roller by said control means into and out of tracking engagement with said tape web; an electric motor driving at least one of said rollers; an electrically-operated cutter for said tape web; and circuit means and connections therefor including a starting switch, said measuring switch contact, and said index switch for energizing said motor and actuating in sequence said roller control means to move said tracking roller into tracking engagement with the tape web and to move said rotary measuring contact in measuring operation, and thereafter to effect movement of the tracking roller out of engagement with the web when the preselected tape length is fed, and thereafter to shift said coupling means to release said drive shaft means from said driving interconnection with said roller means for restoration to said starting position, whereby to operate said index switch and actuate said cutter.

4. In an electrically operated tape-feeding machine, an adjustable measuring switch including rotatable measurcontarme@ drive. means .ieri said: @tatable ceitaet f means including at driven member. having, driving, een.- neetionwith said' ccntaetmeans, and a complementary driving-gmemhen. .Onefof which ,members is movable into out .of driving relation tothe other said member; means includingatracking member mounted forengagement.. with, andmovable by, fed tape Vfor, Ysupplying measureddriving power toY said driving member; power,- .drivemfeed roller. means movable into. andtoutaof.. .engagement with said tape on the side thereof oppositeirom saidtracking member and actingjto press-the tape .drivinglyfagainstfthe latter* and effect feeding travelof theftape; and; operator-controlled means vrforr moving the. feed 4 roller means into, and ontI of driving engagement with :the tage jointly. with movement-,cf said driving and driventmem berseerresnondinalv .into and, out o f. driving relation; wheIebY-QStarLatrdstOn rotatienofrthe-rotatable contact meansA insstepfwth, :the .Startins and. Stopping.. et. .theteedingmovementrof thetapeJespOnSivetoeactuation .of said @Berater-controlledmeans:.

v5' Ii1.a measuringswitch mechanismzfor electrictapevfeeding. machines,A a measuring switchv including. .an .angulafrl-y, adjustable. contact', and...a. cooperating rotatable measuring.. Contact, cpnnected. inv a tapeffeed .control ciry cl.1it;,ir.st roller...mean s, mounted for driving.. engagement with. a.: tape., web! to, be. fed and adapted.v to turntcommensurately. with the length voftape. fed; a second. and motor-driyen-roller means, movable. against said tapete press` the. same againstsaid ratroller, means; restoring means yieldingly, urging` said rotatable. contact :meansto -a starting position; a gear having driving interconnection with said rotatable contact means; a pinion and shiftable means mounting the same for movement into and out of driving engagement with said gear; means including a linking device movable with said shiftable means providing a driving connection between said pinion and first roller means; electrically actuated means for moving said second roller means into and out of driving and pressing engagement with the tape web; and means operatively interconnecting said shiftable means and said electricallyactuated means for cooperation to shift said pinion into and out of driving engagement with said gear concomitantly with movement of said second roller means into and out of engagement with the tape web as aforesaid, said pinion and gear acting responsive to driving effort from said first roller means to turn said rotatable contact means away from said starting position, and said restoring means acting to return the rotatable contact means to starting position automatically responsive to disengagement of said pinion from said gear.

6. In an electrically-operated tape feeding machine, motor-driven tape feeding means including a driven feed roller mounted to rock into and out of feeding engagement with a tape web; a tracking roller mounted to engage and be rotated by said tape web; an adjustable measuring switch including a rotatable circuit-control member driven from said tracking roller; electrically operated feed-control means for rocking said feed roller into and out of feeding relation to said tape web; and a main control circuit including a starting switch means and said circuit-control member of the measuring switch connected to actuate said feed-control means in feeding operation responsive to operation of said starting switch means and to stop said feeding operation automatically under control of said measuring-switch control member.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 further characterized in that said tracking roller is coupled to said circuitcontrol member of the measuring switch through a driven gear, connected to drive the control member, and a driving pinion mounted to rock into and out of driving engagement with said driven gear, said pinion having a shiftable driving connecton with said tracking 'circuit control member a-t a predetermined position, while 'permitting said pinion to rotate idly in said drop out interption.

" 9. In an electrically-operated tape feeding machine,

Ymotor-driven tape feeding means including a driven feed Aroller mounted to rock into Vand out of feeding engagement with a tape web; a tracking roller mounted to engage'and be rotated by said tape web; an adjustable rotary measuring switch including an angularly movable switch element driven from said tracking roller; electrically'op- 'erated feed-control means for rocking said feed roller into and out of feeding relation to said tape web; a main control circuit including a starting switch means and said angularly movable switch element of the measuring Aswitch' connected to actuate said feed-control meansV in feeding operation responsive to operation of said starting switch means and to stop said feeding operation automatically under control of said measuring switch at pre- 'selected angular positions of said angularly movable contact; and means coacting with said feed-control means for operatively interconnecting and disconnecting said rotary angularly movable switch element of the measuring switch with said tracking roller in substantial simultaneity Iwitl'rti'ne engagement and disengagement of said feed roller Ywith said tape web. i

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which said starting switch means includes a manually operable switch 'and a foot switch connected in parallel for optional operation to start said feeding operation, and supervisory reset Yswitch and relay means cooperable by connection Vcontrolled by said angularly movable switch element in a starting position of the latter to condition said manual and foot starting switch for effective operation, and disabling the latter switches from effective operation after ysaid feeding operation has started, and further operating to recondition said manual and foot switches for eiective operation again upon a resetting of said angularly movable switch element to said starting position, together'with spring means acting against the driving effort of said pinion and gear to restore the angularly movable switch element to said starting position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,731,403 Weaver Oct. 15, 1929 1,732,635 Chabot Oct. 22, 1929 1,946,170 Mikaekon Feb. 6, 1934 1,960,945 Krueger May 29, 1934 2,065,939 y Landrock Dec. 29, 1936 2,103,264 Lorig Dec. 28, 1937 2,133,868 Morton Oct. 18, 1938 2,298,492 Longeld Oct. 13,1942 2,339,194 Reichelt Jan. 1,1, 1944 2,408,363 Beckman etal. Oct. l, 1946 2,655,372 Hempel Oct. 13, 1953 

